Skywatch! November astrological update

All information contained herein is written by and the property of Lynn Hayes. You may include a portion of this information on your website without permission, but please be sure to include a link back to the article and clearly indicate the writer of the information.

November begins with five planets in the sign of Scorpio: Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Jupiter. This is an extremely strong Scorpio influence with a penetrating focus, pulling us more deeply inward as we face the darkest parts of ourselves in order to be transformed. Mercury is retrograde which tends to redirect our attention internally, and the strong Scorpio focus confronts our deepest fears as we go deeper into our true selves. Remember while Mercury is retrograde (until November 17) to carefully monitor communication for clarity and precision, as misunderstandings are more likely during this time than any other. Mercury retrograde periods are good times to reconnect with an old friend, redesign your website, revise your life plan; however, they are typically not good times to begin a new venture.

The Celtic cross-quarter festival of Samhain, commonly celebrated the same day as Halloween, actually takes place at the midpoint of Scorpio which is halfway between the fall equinox and the winter solstice (November 7). At Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), the veil between the worlds is said to be thinner and it is therefore easiest to communicate with spirits that have crossed over to the other side. In this Scorpio season we are able not only to reach across dimensions, but also and more importantly to the hidden dimensions within our own psyche. During this period we may find ourselves confronting our past in ways we are not accustomed to, all for the purpose of becoming more authentically our true self.

Over the past six months we have been in a heavy retrograde period but recently Pluto, Chiron and then Neptune changed direction so that now only Mercury and Uranus are in retrograde motion (appearing to move backwards from our perspective on earth). At one point this past summer six planets were retrograde, making it difficult to move forward with our plans and visions; we are now prepared to make those changes. However, we may be somewhat stifled in our efforts until November 18 when Mercury turns direct and moves forward again. All in all, though, November gives us a breath of fresh air after the challenging year behind us.

The opposition between Saturn and Neptune is widening now and diminishing in power until it returns in February of next year. (you may want to read this article which more completely describes the Saturn/Neptune cycle which began in August) Saturn desires to create form and Neptune urges us to dissolve into the ocean of pure consciousness, and the opposition between these two planets can be destabilizing. During Saturn/Neptune periods we are forced (Saturn) to relinquish our illusions and fantasies (Neptune), but we may also find ourselves better able to manifest our spiritual yearning (Neptune) into a day-to-day practice (Saturn). We have completed just the first phase of the cycle, and those of us with planets in the fixed signs (Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, Scorpio) will be most subject to its influence.

Saturn is also approaching a trine to Pluto, the god of the underworld and power, which will not awaken fully until next year. The harmonious interaction between the two Lords of Darkness is a powerful ally, aligning the discipline and grounding of Saturn with the transformative power of Pluto, and we are beginning to sense this influence. We typically don't notice the harmonious transits as much as the more difficult ones; trines sometimes provide opportunity that is never activated. Understanding that the power of transformation is available now will help us to use it for practical purposes. This is a time when the setting of intention can be a powerful tool for growth.

During the first week of November Mercury (the mind) is retrograding away from a conjunction to Jupiter (expansion and opportunity) that will be in effect throughout the week, adding a buoyancy and optimism to our thought process and communication. At the same time, Mercury and Jupiter are both square to Saturn, the planet that forces us to face reality and apply discipline to our endeavors. Jupiter is King of the Gods, and while it brings confidence and opportunity, in a hard angle aspect like the square it tends to overextend itself with a reckless abandon. In conjunction to Mercury we may find ourselves more argumentative than usual, or facing more arguments from others. The square to Saturn will apply a brake to our confidence level and perhaps force us to work a little harder towards the perfection of our endeavors.

For the first two weeks of November, the Sun and Venus dance in conjunction and bestow favor on interpersonal relationships and social events. The pair are trine to Uranus, god of the unexpected, bringing new people into our lives and breathing new life into relationships that have become stale.

The Taurus Full Moon occurs November 5 with the Sun in Scorpio opposing the Moon, balancing the Scorpio intensity with the serenity and pleasure-seeking of the Taurus Moon. This is a very sensual time, and a time when lovers can grow more deeply into the bonds of their connection. The emotions and passions are awakened now with the Moon and Mars both in sextile to Uranus, although a square to from Neptune can cast a glamour on your process. Venus and Mercury are both square to Neptune this first week which adds creativity and romance but also the danger of delusion - an interesting combination for the US election day.

November 8 witnesses a Transit of Mercury across the Sun. This event is more than a Sun/Mercury conjunction, and only occurs 13 times in a century. For more information on this phenomenon you may want to read this article with a link to a webcam to observe the transit event. Previous Mercury Transit events have had significant effects when they were part of a challenging aspect configuration, but this event appears to be relatively benign.

Mercury joins Mars November 11, incorporating Mercury into the trine with Uranus. This is a lively time for ideas (with Mercury) and emotional connections (the Scorpio influence). Uranus is the awakener - it dusts off the cobwebs and prepares us for something new. Under the Uranian influence we are better prepared to embrace new challenges and an expanded understanding of the way our universe works.

Relations with others may be tested around November 15 as Venus makes a square to Jupiter, causing us to be a little more self-indulgent than usual. Under stressful Venus/Jupiter contacts we tend to expect more from others than we are ourselves willing to give and the Scorpio influence of Venus at that time is not quick to forgive. However, two days later on the 17th Venus enters Sagittarius and all difficulties are forgotten. In Sagittarius, Venus seeks freedom and mutual respect and does not get bogged down into the scorekeeping that causes problems in Scorpio.

Mercury turns direct November 17, ending its retrograde tour, and for the following week it continues to trine Uranus. Intuition is strong now and ideas come quickly and easily. Uranus is associated with a special kind of creativity that transcends the boundaries of ordinary thought; for this reason it is known as the "higher octave" of Mercury. Uranus is a transformational planet, like the other outer planets Neptune and Pluto. Its purpose is to expand our awareness and break us out of any old patterns that hold us back, a fine release after the Mercury retrograde period.

Uranus will turn direct November 20, accentuating the Uranian theme of expansion and innovation. After Uranus turns direct there will be no planets in retrograde motion since February of 2001. Retrograde planets tend to retrace our steps and cause us to go back and revisit the same issues over and over again, and now with all planets moving forward there will be much more energy for progress.

The Scorpio New Moon takes place the same day, intensifying and focusing the energy of new beginnings. At the New Moon the solar conscious principle fuses with the lunar unconscious (Sun conjunct Moon) and this New Moon is part of a stellium in Scorpio planets, continuing the Scorpio theme of building one's personal power base from within. Scorpio has a tendency to become stuck in the emotional drama, but the Uranian influence helps to keep us expanded and flowing. Jupiter, the Great Liberator and bringer of opportunity, is part of the conjunction that makes up the New Moon and adds confidence and a focus on truth. This New Moon challenges us to reframe our ideas about what makes us powerful, and liberates a new vision of who we are and who we can become.

Two days later on November 22 the Sun enters Sagittarius followed by Jupiter on the 24th and joining Venus which is already in Sag. The atmosphere is much lighter now, filled with the Sagittarian enthusiasm and love of life. The groundwork in the underworld has been laid during our time in Scorpio, and now it's time to come out and enjoy life and celebrate the freedom to pursue our dreams. Mercury makes its last contact in trine to Uranus, continuing the expansion of what we think is possible. At the same time though, Mercury approaches a square to Neptune and we may briefly find that our ideas (Mercury) have expanded so far that they have wandered into the realm of illusion (Neptune).

The square of Venus to Uranus on the 25th shows that this expansion that's occurred in the Mercury/Uranus cycle may begin to put pressure on our relationships with others (Venus) as we seek to liberate ourselves (Uranus) from the shackles of love, both perceived and genuine. However, by the 30th Neptune adds a softening touch as it is sextiled by Venus, adding compassion and a sense of the divine in all of our interpersonal relations.

November ends on a positive note as we head into the Sagittarian season of hope and truth.